National Freight Advisory Committee to Meet February 6, 2014

The National Freight Advisory Committee will hold its latest meeting on February 6, 2014, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.(EST). A link to the agenda, including the ability to pre-register for Webinar access, is attached here. Web registrants are to complete their registrations by February 5.

The main topic of this meeting is for the NFAC members to prepare a joint comment on the USDOT's designation of the Primary Freight Network. The Primary Freight Network Designation draft has been prepared by the Federal Highway Administration, and the comment period is currently open until February 15, 2014 under docket FHWA-2013-0050,.

Created under MAP-21 (Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act), the NFAC advises the USDOT Secretary on implementing MAP-21's call for a national freight network, developing a national freight strategic plan, and other things including legislative recommendations.

National Freight Advisory Committee holds Inaugural Meeting

The USDOT's National Freight Advisory Committee held its inaugural meeting yesterday in Washington. The Committee was created to provide advice and recommendations to the DOT Secretary on matters involving freight transportation and the implementation of the MAP-21 legislation (Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act), 23 USC Sec. 101 et seq. According to the Committee's Charter, the main topics the Committee is to provide assistance and advice to DOT are: 1. Development of a National Freight Strategic Plan; 2. Establishment of a National Freight Network; 3. Strategies to assist States in developing State Freight Advisory Committees and State Freight Plans; 4. Development of measures of the condition, safety, and performance of the freight network, and 5. Development of freight transportation investment, data, and planning tools. The Committee's website link, is attached here. Included on the site is the membership of the Committee, its Charter, and the agenda for the first meeting.